Cheap flights from Des Moines to Chicago

Flights overview

Useful information for finding cheap flights from Des Moines to Chicago and booking your next trip
Cheapest round-trip flights $171
American Nonstop 2 hr Thu, Feb 12 — Mon, Feb 16
The cheapest round-trip flight from Des Moines to Chicago is currently $171
Cheapest one-way flight $79
Southwest Nonstop 2 hr Wed, Apr 22
The cheapest one-way flight from Des Moines to Chicago is currently $79
Last-minute weekend getaway $277
American Nonstop 2 hr Thu, Jan 29 — Sun, Feb 1
The cheapest last-minute weekend getaway from Des Moines to Chicago is currently $277
Cheapest business class flights $329
American Nonstop 2 hr Thu, Feb 12 — Mon, Feb 16
The cheapest business class round-trip flight from Des Moines to Chicago is currently $329
Fastest flight 1 hr 15 min The fastest nonstop flight from Des Moines to Chicago takes 1 hr 15 min
Nonstop flights Every day There are direct flights on this route every day.

When is the cheapest time to fly?

The cheapest month to fly from Des Moines to Chicago is typically September. The most expensive month to fly is typically January.
September
Cheapest
Typical prices: $170–230
January
Most expensive
Typical prices: $185–270

Popular airlines from Des Moines to Chicago

  • United
    Nonstop
    from $171
    Typical price: $185–280
    28 weekly nonstop flights
    DSM - ORD Every day
    190 weekly connecting flights
    DSM - ORD Every day
  • American
    Nonstop
    from $171
    Typical price: $185–310
    21 weekly nonstop flights
    DSM - ORD Every day
    443 weekly connecting flights
    DSM - ORD Every day
  • Southwest
    from $187
    Typical price: $210–360
    1416 weekly connecting flights
    DSM - MDW, ORD Every day
  • Delta
    from $191
    Typical price: $205–430
    210 weekly connecting flights
    DSM - MDW, ORD Every day

Popular airports near Des Moines

  • Des Moines International Airport (DSM)
    Des Moines United States 16 min 4 mi
  • Kansas City International Airport (MCI)
    Kansas City United States 2 hr 56 min 168 mi
  • Eppley Airfield (OMA)
    Omaha United States 2 hr 9 min 119 mi
  • Minneapolis–Saint Paul International Airport (MSP)
    Minneapolis United States 3 hr 31 min 228 mi

Popular airports near Chicago

  • Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD)
    Chicago United States 27 min 16 mi
  • Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW)
    Chicago United States 25 min 9 mi
  • Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport (MKE)
    Milwaukee United States 1 hr 24 min 75 mi
  • Indianapolis International Airport (IND)
    Indianapolis United States 2 hr 58 min 165 mi

Frequently asked questions about flying from Des Moines to Chicago

The cheapest flights from Des Moines to Chicago are usually in September. Typical ticket prices in September range from $170 to $230.
The cheapest round-trip flight from Des Moines to Chicago recently found on Google Flights was with American from $171. The cheapest one-way flight was with Southwest from $79.

Some of the cheapest round-trip deals we found with different airlines:
  • The cheapest United flight from Des Moines to Chicago is $171, flying from Apr 18 to Apr 20.
  • The cheapest American flight from Des Moines to Chicago is $171, flying from Feb 12 to Feb 16.
  • The cheapest Southwest flight from Des Moines to Chicago is $187, flying from Apr 10 to Apr 12.
  • The cheapest Delta flight from Des Moines to Chicago is $191, flying from Feb 19 to Feb 23.
The cheapest round-trip flight from Des Moines to Chicago starts at $171 from Thu, Feb 12 to Mon, Feb 16. The cheapest one-way flight starts at $79 and departs on Wed, Apr 22.
1 hr 15 min is the shortest flight time from Des Moines to Chicago.
Chicago's peak season is Jun–Aug. Popular events throughout year include St. Patrick's Day, when the river is tinted green (Mar 17); the Pride Parade (Jun); the Taste of Chicago culinary festival (Jul) and the Jazz Festival (Sep). During the holiday season (Nov–Dec), the Magnificent Mile Lights Festival and Christkindlmarket, a German Christmas market in Daley Plaza, draw crowds to the city.
It's easy to use Google Flights to find the cheapest days to fly from Des Moines to Chicago.
Just click the Departure label near the top of the page to open the calendar. Choose a start date and a return date to see how the round-trip fare changes on those specific days.
Adjust the trip type to see one-way fares. The cheapest available flights are highlighted and easy to spot. Once you settle on dates, click the Search button to see flight options and book the deal.

You can also turn on price tracking to get alerts if the price changes for a route or flight.
What counts as the best airline for your flights from Des Moines to Chicago really depends on your individual needs. You may have a favorite carrier or a loyalty program you like, but price, convenience, and airports served also come into play. Flexibility and booking terms – Can you change flights if you want to stay longer or get a refund if you have to postpone your trip? – are also factors that help determine which airline is best to fly from Des Moines to Chicago.

In terms of nonstop flights, United is the most popular. United offers 28 nonstop flights and 190 connecting flights per week. United flies from Des Moines International Airport (DSM) to Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD) .

In terms of flights, Southwest is the most popular. Southwest offers 1,416 connecting flights per week. Southwest flies from Des Moines International Airport (DSM) to Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW) , Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD) .

Other popular airlines flying from Des Moines to Chicago are:
  • American offers 21 nonstop flights and 443 connecting flights per week. American flies from Des Moines International Airport (DSM) to Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD) .
  • Delta offers 210 connecting flights per week. Delta flies from Des Moines International Airport (DSM) to Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW) , Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD) .
The number of connecting flights refers to distinct flights with at least one stop between Des Moines and Chicago.
The cheapest round-trip flight from Des Moines to Chicago recently found on Google Flights was with American from $171. The cheapest one-way flight was with Southwest from $79.

Some of the cheapest round-trip deals we found with different airlines:
  • The cheapest United flight from Des Moines to Chicago is $171, flying from Apr 18 to Apr 20.
  • The cheapest American flight from Des Moines to Chicago is $171, flying from Feb 12 to Feb 16.
  • The cheapest Southwest flight from Des Moines to Chicago is $187, flying from Apr 10 to Apr 12.
  • The cheapest Delta flight from Des Moines to Chicago is $191, flying from Feb 19 to Feb 23.
United and American fly direct from Des Moines to Chicago.
  • There are 28 United direct flights from Des Moines to Chicago per week. Flights are available every day.
  • There are 21 American direct flights from Des Moines to Chicago per week. Flights are available every day.
Use the Stops filter while searching for flights, to see only nonstop options in your results.
The cheapest last-minute deal between Des Moines and Chicago at price $277 is offered by American from Thu, Jan 29 to Sun, Feb 1.
United and American fly direct from Des Moines to Chicago.
  • There are 28 United direct flights from Des Moines to Chicago per week. Flights are available every day.
  • There are 21 American direct flights from Des Moines to Chicago per week. Flights are available every day.
Use the Stops filter while searching for flights, to see only nonstop options in your results.
There are direct flights from Des Moines to Chicago on a daily basis.
The cheapest direct (nonstop) round-trip flights between Des Moines and Chicago start at $171 from Thu, Feb 12 to Mon, Feb 16 with American.
It's easy to find nonstop flights with Google Flights! Once you've searched for flights from Des Moines to Chicago, just select the nonstop flights only option in the 'Stops’ filter in the search form and view all available direct flights and their prices.
The cheapest business class round-trip flights between Des Moines and Chicago start at $329 from Thu, Feb 12 to Mon, Feb 16 with American.
The cheapest economy class round-trip flights between Des Moines and Chicago start at $171 from Thu, Feb 12 to Mon, Feb 16.
To book business class trips from Des Moines to Chicago, look for the default Economy selection at the top, and change it to your desired cabin class such as Premium Economy, Business Class, or First Class. You can then select your departure and arrival dates, consider available options, and book your business travel.

You can also adjust the trip type to view one-way fares.
The best last-minute getaway deal for the next weekend between Des Moines and Chicago starts at $277 from Thu, Jan 29 to Sun, Feb 1 with American.
The cheapest last-minute deal between Des Moines and Chicago at price $277 is offered by American from Thu, Jan 29 to Sun, Feb 1.
To find last-minute flight deals from Des Moines to Chicago, start by entering the city names, select the desired departure and return dates, and hit the Search button to view flight options.

You can check for last-minute flights for the same day or adjust the trip type to see one-way fares.

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